Adjustable foot prosthesis

• US 5,571,210 A
• Filed: 12/02/1994
• Issued: 11/05/1996
• Est. Priority Date: 06/02/1992
• Status: Expired due to Fees

• Current Assignee: Danderyds Biotech Innovation AB
• Original Assignee: Pro-Pel AB
• Inventors: Lindh, Leif
• Primary Examiner(s): Willse, David H.
• Application Number:
  US08/347,331
• Time in Patent Office: 704 Days
• Field of Search: 623/38, 623/55, 623/53, 623/47, 623/50, 623/52, 623/35, 623/59
• US Class Current: 623/38
• CPC Class Codes: A61F 2/60 Artificial legs or feet or parts thereof
• CPC Class Codes: A61F 2/66 Feet; Ankle joints
• CPC Class Codes: A61F 2/70 electrical
• CPC Class Codes: A61F 2/76 Means for assembling, fitting or testing prostheses, e.g. for measuring or balancing, e.g. alignment means
• CPC Class Codes: A61F 2/80 Sockets, e.g. of suction type
• CPC Class Codes: A61F 2002/30523 by means of meshing gear teeth
• CPC Class Codes: A61F 2002/5073 Helical springs, e.g. having at least one helical spring
• CPC Class Codes: A61F 2002/6657 having a plate-like or strip-like spring element, e.g. an energy-storing cantilever spring keel
• CPC Class Codes: A61F 2220/0025 Connections or couplings between prosthetic parts, e.g. between modular parts; Connecting elements

Abstract

A foot prosthesis has a support part and a foot element which cooperates with the support part. The foot element includes a forefoot part which is displaceable axially along the support part. The foot element further includes a heel part which is fixed on the lower end of the support part. A setting arrangement sets the position of the forefoot part along the support part in relation to the heel part.

Claims

1. An adjustable foot prosthesis comprising a prosthesis socket;

an elongated support part securing a foot element to said prosthesis socket;

said foot element cooperating with said support part, said foot element comprising a forefoot part, having a forefoot attachment element slidably disposed on said support part, said forefoot part thereby being slidingly displaceable in an axial direction along said support part, and a heel part, said heel part being fixed on an end of said support part opposite to said prosthesis socket; and

a means for setting the position of said forefoot part on said support part.

2. An adjustable foot prosthesis as claimed in claim 1 further comprising a guide part, said guide part being a rod extending from said heel part parallel to said support part and through said forefoot attachment element toward said prosthesis socket, and wherein said forefoot attachment element is slidably disposed on said guide part.

3. An adjustable foot prosthesis as claimed in claim 2 wherein said means for setting the position of said forefoot part on said support part comprises:

a spring disposed about said guide part between said heel part and said forefoot attachment element;

a stop element affixed to said guide part and separated thereon from said spring by said forefoot attachment element;

a variable attachment element on said prosthesis socket;

a roller on said heel part;

an attachment on said forefoot part; and

a wire, said wire running from said variable attachment element, around said roller, and to said attachment on said forefoot part.

4. An adjustable foot prosthesis as claimed in claim 2 wherein said means for setting the position of said forefoot part on said support part comprises:

a spring disposed about said support part between said prosthesis socket and said forefoot attachment element;

a stop element affixed to said support part between said spring and said prosthesis socket;

a variable attachment element on said prosthesis socket;

an attachment on said forefoot part; and

a wire, said wire running from said variable attachment element to said attachment on said forefoot part.

5. An adjustable foot prosthesis as claimed in claim 2 wherein said guide part has a plurality of holes, said holes being arranged at intervals longitudinally therealong, and wherein said means for setting the position of said forefoot part on said support part comprises a threaded pin threadingly secured in said forefoot attachment element and protrudable into one of said plurality of holes.

6. An adjustable foot prosthesis as claimed in claim 1 further comprising a guide part, said guide part being a threaded rod extending from said heel part parallel to said support part and through said forefoot attachment element, said guide part being threadingly engaged in said heel part, and wherein said means for setting the position of said forefoot part on said support part comprises a first conical gear attached to said guide part at said forefoot attachment element, and a second conical gear mounted on said forefoot attachment element.

7. An adjustable foot prosthesis as claimed in claim 6 wherein said second conical gear has a central recess by which it may be rotated with an appropriate tool.

8. An adjustable foot prosthesis as claimed in claim 7 wherein said central recess has the shape of a hexagon.

9. An adjustable foot prosthesis as claimed in claim 8 further comprising a hexagon spanner, said hexagon spanner being said appropriate tool.

10. An adjustable foot prosthesis as claimed in claim 6 further comprising a plurality of telescopically acting guide rods connecting said forefoot attachment element to said heel part.

11. An adjustable foot prosthesis as claimed in claim 1 further comprising a guide part, said guide part being a threaded rod extending from said heel part parallel to said support part and through said forefoot attachment element, said guide part being threadingly engaged in said forefoot attachment element, and wherein said means for setting the position of said forefoot part on said support part comprises a first gear wheel attached to said guide part at said heel part, an electric motor, and a second gear wheel driven by said electric motor, said second gear wheel in turn driving said first gear wheel to change the position of said forefoot part.

12. An adjustable foot prosthesis as claimed in claim 11 wherein said electric motor is disposed within said support part.

13. An adjustable foot prosthesis as claimed in claim 11 wherein said electric motor is a remote-controlled motor.

14. An adjustable foot prosthesis as claimed in claim 11 wherein said heel part comprises a heel plate and an insert between said support part and said heel plate, said insert determining the angle and spacing between the heel plate and the support part.